Registering of plates, transfers and the like



May 21, 1963 Filed March 51, 1960 ny. f

G. WAGNER REGISTERING OF PLATES, TRANSFERS AND THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1ATTORNEYS May 21, 1963 G. WAGNER 3,090,288

REGISTERING OF PLATES, TRANSFERS AND THE LIKE Filed March 3l, 1960 6Sheets-Sheet 2 25 l W C I 2 i 3 I3 24u gf l III Gearyes WAG/VE ATTORNEYSMay 2l, 1963 G. WAGNER REGISTERING OF' PLATES, TRANSFERS AND THE LIKEFiled March 3l, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 earyes #VAG/VER ATTORNEYS May 21,1963 G. WAGNER REGISTERING OF PLATES, TRANSFERS AND THE LIKE Filed March5l, 1960 muull 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 G'earye s WAGNER May 21, 1963 G. WAGNER3,090,288

REGISTERING OF PLATES, TRANSFERS AND THE LIKE Filed March 51, 1960 6Sheets-Sheet 5 y i N N MIL/wrak Gea/:ges WA GIVE R May 21, 1963 G.WAGNER 3,090,288

REGISTERING oF PLATES, TRANSFERS AND THE LIKE:

Filed March 3l, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Gearyes WAGNER tats nite

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3,090,288 REGISTERING F PLATES, TRANSF ERS AND THE LIKE Georges Wagner,Paris, France, assigner to La Technique Appliquee, Paris, France, aFrench corporate society Filed Mar.31, 1960, Ser. No. 13,955 2 Ciaims.(Ci. 95-73) The present invention has for its object a device forregistering plates, more particularly photographic plates and industrialtransfers for the reproduction of a large number of copies, and moreparticularly lfor the reproduction of subjects comprising more than onecolour.

It is known that the registering of negatives in the frame of a plateholder is diiiicult and that an accurate centering is absolutelyindispensable if overlapping of the various coloured zones on theirintermediate lines is to be avoided. Further, in orde-r to make up atype block, it is necessary to print photographically as many positiveelements as there are elements in the type block.

Such centering can be obtained with known methods but it requires muchtime as it must be repeated for each plate with the risk of thereappearance of the overlapping of the colours which, even if it doesnot exceed one tenth of a millimetro, is unpleasant to the eye. Finally,the known methods do not take ladvantage of the maximum of the availablesurface, by reason of the presence of necessary marginal gluing strips-along the edges of the positive elements comprising each image.

The device according to the invention lessens these inconveniences bysimplifying the adjustment: an auxiliary glazed frame, lit fromunderneath, is accurately centered under the base of the chamber plateholder. This rectangular frame can advantageously be permanently set inrubber in the horizontal sheet forming a cover under the chamber and thecarriages, as will be further detailed. The squaring of this frame willbe accurate, and its sides, in Opposite pairs, will be strictly parallelto each `other and parallel to the sides of the general framework of thedevice. There is glued under the stationary glass sheet of the abovementioned auxiliary frame, a positive tlm serving to successivelyregister and locate on their respective ybasic position the variousnegatives respectively corresponding to one of the desired coloursstarting with the negative establishing the maximum details and,preferably, showing the most contrast (black or dark coloured). At thetime of its centering, each negative is first applied directly on thepositive for the registerinrg, and immediately rendered integral to theauxiliary frame, as will be seen from the description. The chamberitself acts as a film-press as well as a safety switch cutting the lightwhen it is not in the film-press position. This function of interruptingthe current is provided by the very displacement of the chamber, usingknown means such as contacts, brushes and the like. This assembly isdisplaceable, and secureable in any chosen position, between a graduatedgroove and a slider forming with the latter a large carriagedisplaceable and secureable in any chosen position, along a large rackbar `and along a slider parallel to the latter, forming a courseperpendicular to the course of the previously mentioned assembly,hereafter named the small carriage. Thus, the chamber can move betweenthe said long rack bar and the slider parallel thereto and also betweenthe graduated groove and the slider which forms a carriage there with.These two movements are perpendicular to one another, each being furtherprovided with a scale, as will be seen later.

This `double course, combined with the lcentering of the auxiliaryframe, allows the centering once and for all of each negative and thesubsequent displacement of a reproduction without riskingdre-registering which would, each time, make verification necessary. Itfurther allows to rationally and accurately make use of the maximumavailable surface of the positive.

The accompanying drawing represents schematically a non-limitativeexample of the realization of the invention; one sees:

FIG. l, schematic plan of the complete register;

FIG. 2, the register, plan View, the classical light box having beenremoved to assist understanding;

FIG. 3, the same, elevation at the arrow II of FIG, 2;

FIG. 4, the same, elevation at the arrow I'II of FIG. Q;

FIG. S, plan View of the upper part of the double tray;

FIG. 6, vertical axial section of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7, plan view of the lower part of the double tray;

FIG. 8, vertical axial section of FIG. l;

FIG. 9, section of the mounting of the frames during -a registering onthe positive register.

The known block 1 is mounted horizontally on the generally rectangularframework 2; it carries a horizontal sheet plate 3 (FIG. 9) made ofrubber or of an appropriate synthetic material, which receives thegelatine to be printed. This is held onto that surface by any suitablemeans.

Through this sheet plate and within the framework, is reserved arectangular, preferably square opening, surrounded by a frame (calledthe auxiliary frame) 2a in which is iixed a transparent or ground `glasssheet Zp. It is on this glass sheet that the positive register is fixed(by temporary glueing for example). It is lit from underneath `by meansof a light source independent of the invention,

The framework 2 carries, in addition, a rack bar plate 4, theindentations of which are tur-ned inwardly of the framework, as shown inFIG. l. This rack bar can be pivoted horizontally about a fixed axis `4ashown by the double arrow Z. The end opposite axis `4a may be providedWith a ball point 4b `for the manual displacement of the rack bar whichthen pivots to the mixed line position shown in FIG. l, assisted by thereturn spring 4c.

Between the rack bar 4 and the slider 4', ca n be displaced and iixed inany desired position, a carriage (named the large carriage) constitutedby two rails `or sliders 5 and S', parallel to each other, perpendicularto ythe rack bar 4 and mounted in such a way that they do not travel thetop surface of the virgin film applied on the cover 3. This largecarriage is iixed in the desired position on rack bar 4, by a ratchetpawl `6, for instance, placed on stay 7. One of these rails extends withan index 5 associated with scale 4a of slider 4.

The rail 5 is simply ratchetted, by its ball point end 5b, on theextremity of the slider 7, assisted by the auxiliary spring S'b. It canthen pivot, as shown by the double arrow W, about a vertical axis 5a,located at its junction with the slider 7, and its indentations turnedtowards the slider 5 receive the ratchet pawl 8` integral with the frame9 constituting the |base Vof the small carriage supporting the chamber9a. This chamber has its general optical axis vertical, that is to sayper-pendicular to the block. It can be displaced, `as it has beenstated, along the carriage 5, S', the ball 8 assuring its preciseposition on the said carriage.

The double positioning of the large carriage 5, 5 between the fixedelements 4 and 4', and of the small carriage, with the chamber 9a, onthis large carriage, constitutes one of the elements `of which thecombination forms the object of the present invention.

The chamber 9a affords this particularity by playing a triple role: itsproper role of the photographic chamber, that of a hlm-press and that of`an electric interruptor,

and this constitutes a second element of the inventive combinationclaimed.

The chamber Qa is moveably mounted on the plate holder 9 which can bepositioned with precision between the rails and 5', as it has beenstated. The chamber is glazed at its lower part, and its horizontalglazing is lit in a classical manner by a light source placed in itsupper part. The frame 9 is rectangular, preferably square, and itsdimensions correspond to those of the frame 2a of the positive-register.It receives each negative under a moveable glass plate. One appreciatesthat, as a result of the double positioning of the chamber, the virginlilm will receive successively accurately centered impressionsnotwithstanding the changing of the negatives; on the other hand, theaction of the various rack bars allows the eiiecting on the ilrn of theimpressions in series of which the different colours do not overlap,from which results a considerable saving of time and which is notdetrimental to the accuracy of the iinal positive.

By referring moreover to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it is seen the frame 9forming the base of the small carriage is capable of being displacedhorizontally and parallel to itself between the parallel rails 5 and 5':the rail 5 is proled `as a rack turned towards the frame 9, and of whichthe slots i5 receive, depending on the position of the frame 9, thelocking stud 8. A series of vertical stubs 2th are also provided alongrail 5, each placed opposite a slot with the result that the positioningof the frame 9 along the rails is confirmed by the lighting of a bulb2li when the terminal 22 is in Contact with the stub 2% corresponding tothe slot 15 in which the ball is locked. The electric circuit in whichis connected the bulb 2li is lfed by the conductor of the rail 5 whichtouches a second terminal 23 unitedas the terminal 22-with the lframe 9.A similar contact on one of the ends of rail 5' and a series of ringstubs or equivalents, placed at predetermined intervals along the slider4', produces the lighting of a second pilot lamp playing the same partas the bulb 2l, but yfor the positioning of the large carriage along therails d and 4.

The clamp 24, when pressed down around the axis 2id is secured by spring26 holding on to the transverse member 25. Spring 26 is held or releasedby the eccentric lever 27 (forming at the same time an electricContact). The clamp is applied strongly on the seat constituted by theupper circular crown plate 2e of the tray 29 constituting the upper partof the double tray 29/39. The tray Zi? presents, at `the middle of itsbase 29a, a glass 3l, preferably ground-glass and of square contouridentical to the square glass 32 provided at the base of the lower tray3i?, in such a way as to permit accurate centering of the negative onthe iilm. The horizontal angular positioning of the two trays, the onewith respect to the other, is `facilitated by a series of holes 28 cutparallel to the general axis OO' of the double tray and concentric tothis axis, in the crown 28, and receiving as many of the stubs 3G asyare lixed in the crown 3th: of the lower plate Si); the springs 33compensate elastically the movement toward tach other under the pressureof the discs Z4 of the clamp 24.

The frame 9 can be removed from the film in order to change thenegative, or on the contrary can be brought nearer for the execution ofthe positives; it is then that it plays the part of a film-press.

Finally the vertical displacements of the frame and of the chamberautomatically actuate an electr-ic interrupting device, so that the lampwill only be lit during the Work of printing the positive iilm. Thisinterruptor is not described here and can be of any known type, actingby contact, by brush, etc.

Assuming, for example, that a positive comprising live colours isdesired, a first registering of general position of the chamber abovethe positive-register is effected. At the start of this work, thechamber is separated `from the small carriage, that is to say from theframe 9; the latter aegee remaining gripped in the large carriage, inwhatever position is most favourable for the Work of registering. Thelarge carriage itself is withdrawn between the elements 4 and d. Therack bar l is then displaced by pivotting about the axis da until theposition 4 indicated by the mixed line. The large carriage/frame 9assembly is returned in such a way that the frame 9 is Iapplied on theiixed auxiliary frame `2a (FIG. 9) on which have previously been gluedthe positive-register 2p applied against 4the iixed glass plate Zp. Thenegative 911 is applied on the positive 2p, centered by hand, andimmediately glued to the edge of the frame 9', the glass plate 9'11 isbrought back on it and, preferably, glued, on the same edges of theframe 9, with an adhesive paper or tissue that can be iixed and `removedrapidly. One would choose as the tiret negative, that which shows themaximum of graphic elements.

The large carriage with the frame 9 fixed to it-is replaced in positionbetween the rack bar 4 and the slider 4'; the rack bar is replaced inits working position, indicated by the plain line in FIG. l; after thisthe large carriage is positionedwith respect to itself 'and locked bythe stud 6, practically to the left of FIG. l. Then, by openingtemporarily, if there is any reason, the plate 5 as shown by the arrowW, the frame 9 of the small carriage is positioned with respect to the`large carriage, that is to say, towards the base in FIG. l. In this waythe frame 9 is found at the base and to the left of the sheet 3supporting the positive of reproduction 3a. The rack bar 5 is replacedonce again, the photographic chamber 9a is instantaneously, forced inits accurate position on said rack bar; then one iiattens the frame 9with chamber, one gives the ash for the iirst plate; then, after havingeasily and quickly relifted the frame and the chamber, and withouttouching the negative in position, one displaces the Iframe and thechamber a number of teeth or notches along the elements 5 and 5'; oneapplies afresh the frame `on the film and gives the second iiash, andthus one continues in order to furnish in the positive Ia iirst range ofimages of the irst colour. One then displaces after the same reliftingof the chamberthe assembly of the carriage 5 5' with the frame and thechamber, the desired number of teeth of the rack bar 4, and one executesas previously, a second range of images of the same irst colour,parallel to the first range, and continues until the virgin f1lm iscompletely printed by the iirst negative.

Then only, temporarily removing the chamber 9a, one changes the negativeand, the negative of the second colour being put in place of the first,one brings back into its original position the carriage 5', 5 with thelframe 9 and the chamber 9a, and one recommences the execution of thesuccessive sets of images. One `acts in the same way for the tivenegatives. As has previously been described, the double positioning ofthe carriage 5, 5 and of the frame 9, prevents any irregularities in theimbrication of the successive colours. There is no need to adjust ateach or nearly at each ash, as in the previous technique.

Improvements in or variations of the device can be applied to that whichhas been described, particularly in the construction of the chamberitself and in its interior lighting, as well as in the means of lockingand of unlocking the moveable pieces lwithout departing from the Spiritof the present invention.

l claim:

l. A plate registering device for the making of photographic platesintended for mass copying, said device comprising, in combination:

(a) a horizontal main frame;

(b) an auxiliary frame mounted within and smaller than said main frame;

(c) a light sensitive horizontal sheet plate within said main frame;

(d) a horizontal rack bar in said main frame and outside said sheetplate; said rack bar being pivotable spas-,aes

horizontally at one end thereof and spring urged to operative position;

(e) a horizontal ruler xed in Said main frame, outside said sheet plateand opposite said rack bar;

(f) a large carriage, displaceable over and above said sheet plate,having two lateral members extending, in operative position of thecarriage, normal to said rack bar and ruler and two transverse membersconnecting said lateral members together; one of said lateral membersbeing pivotable at one end thereof;

(g) `first cooperating means on said rack bar and the adjacenttransverse member of said large carriage to x the latter in selectiveposition along said rack bar;

(l1) a small `carriage displaceably mounted between said lateralmembers;

(i) second cooperating means on said pivotable lateral members and on anadjacent side wall of said small carriage for xng the latter inselective position along said pivotable lateral member;

(j) said pivotable lateral member of said large carriage being providedwith lighting means operable when said second cooperating means is inengagement in one of a series of predetermined positions.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said Small 5 carriage supportsa circular double tray means comprising:

(a) telescoping rst and second cup-shaped trays;

(b) a square glass at the bottom of each tray;

(c') guiding means on said trays to place said square glasses incomplete registry;

(d) spring means between said trays to keep them apart, and (e) apressing lever mechanism on said small carriage adapted to press one ofsaid trays against the other.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,698,141 Mortelmans Jan. 8, 1929 1,832,026 Huebner Nov. 17, 19312,463,093 Felder Mar. 1, 1949 2,588,385 Hillmer Mar. l1, 1952 2,614,469Hillmer Oct. 21, 1952

1. A PLATE REGISTERING DEVICE FOR THE MAKING OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATESINTENDED FOR MASS COPYING, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) AHORIZONTAL MAIN FRAME; (B) AN AUXILIARY FRAME MOUNTED WITHIN AND SMALLERTHAN SAID MAIN FRAME; (C) A LIGHT SENSITIVE HORIZONTAL SHEET PLATEWITHIN SAID MAIN FRAME; (D) A HORIZONTAL RACK BAR IN SAID MAIN FRAME ANDOUTSIDE SAID SHEET PLATE; SAID RACK BAR BEING PIVOTABLE HORIZONTALLY ATONE END THEREOF AND SPRING URGED TO OPERATIVE POSITION; (E) A HORIZONTALRULER FIXED IN SAID MAIN FRAME, OUTSIDE SAID SHEET PLATE AND OPPOSITESAID RACK BAR; (F) A LARGE CARRIAGE, DISPLACEABLE OVER AND ABOVE SAIDSHEET PLATE, HAVING TWO LATERAL MEMBERS EXTENDING, IN OPERATIVE POSITIONOF THE CARRIAGE, NORMAL TO SAID RACK BAR AND RULER AND TWO TRANSVERSEMEMBERS CONNECTING SAID LATERAL MEMBERS TOGETHER; ONE OF SAID LATERALMEMBERS BEING PIVOTABLE AT ONE END THEREOF; (G) FIRST COOPERATING MEANSON SAID RACK BAR AND THE ADJACENT TRANSVERSE MEMBER OF SAID LARGECARRIAGE TO FIX THE LATTER IN SELECTIVE POSITION ALONG SAID RACK BAR;(H) A SMALL CARRIAGE DISPLACEABLY MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID LATERAL MEMBERS;(I) SECOND COOPERATING MEANS ON SAID PIVOTABLE LATERAL MEMBERS AND ON ANADJACENT SIDE WALL OF SAID SMALL CARRIAGE FOR FIXING THE LATTER INSELECTIVE POSITION ALONG SAID PIVOTABLE LATERAL MEMBER; (J) SAIDPIVOTABLE LATERAL MEMBER OF SAID LARGE CARRIAGE BEING PROVIDED WITHLIGHTING MEANS OPERABLE WHEN SAID SECOND COOPERATING MEANS IS INENGAGEMENT IN ONE OF A SERIES OF PREDETERMINED POSITIONS.